ADR and The National Election Watch have analysed the self-sworn affidavits of 1,618 out of 1,625 candidates, who are contesting in the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Phase I in 21 states.

Nakul Nath, Congress candidate from Chhindwara and son of former Chief Minister Kamal Nath, is the richest candidate, who would contest in the first phase of polls, according to a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms.

Nakul has declared assets worth over Rs 716 crore, according to the report.

He is followed by the AIADMK candidate from Erode constituency Ashok Kumar, and BJP candidate from Sivaganga Dhevanathan Yadav T. Their declared assets stood at over Rs 662 crore and Rs 304 crore respectively.

There are 10 candidates with declared zero assets.

Meanwhile, Ponraj K is the candidate with low assets in the phase 1 Lok Sabha election, which is scheduled for April 19. The Independent candidate from Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi has a total assets of Rs 320. Two other Independent candidates Kartik Gendlalji Doke contesting from SC reserved Ramtek constituency in Maharashtra and Suriyamuthu from Chennai North constituency in Tamil Nadu have declared assets of Rs 500 each.

ADR and The National Election Watch have analysed the self-sworn affidavits of 1,618 out of 1,625 candidates, who are contesting in the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Phase I in 21 states.

Of the 1,618 candidates, 450 (28 per cent) are crorepatis.

Among the major parties 4 (100 per cent) out of four candidates from RJD, 35 (97 per cent) out of 36 candidates from AIADMK, 21 (96 per cent) out of 22 candidates from DMK, 69 (90 per cent) out of 77 candidates from BJP, 49 (88 per cent) out of 56 candidates from Congress, 4 (80 per cent) out of 5 candidates from TMC and 18 (21 per cent) candidates out of 86 candidates analysed from BSP have declared assets worth more than Rs 1 crore.

In the first phase of elections, voters with cast their votes for a total of 102 seats across 21 states and union territories.